Elena Schwegman ’25 has earned the 2025 Jesse Tsu Sport Management Academic Achievement Award, which is presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative GPA in Rice University’s Department of Sport Management. The award is named after Jesse Tsu ’11 who holds the highest GPA in program history.
“For me, this award represents a combination of hard work, passion, and incredible support from the people around me,” Schwegman said. “I’ve always been driven by a desire for excellence, and since childhood, I’ve found fulfillment in setting high academic standards and pushing myself to achieve them.”
A double major in Sport Management and Business, Schwegman has paired academic achievement with real-world experience, interning with the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and NFL League Office. Her professional goals in football operations began early.
“My dream has always been to work in the NFL, and younger me would have been astounded to learn that I achieved that goal by my freshman year at Rice,” Schwegman said. “Growing up, my NFL dreams were often taken with a grain of salt, but the Rice faculty has always supported those dreams and made them feel within reach.”
Previously, Schwegman also won the Patrick K. Thornton Memorial Award which was presented each semester to the student who has earned the highest grade in the Sport Law class. She attributes much of her personal and professional growth to the personalized guidance and community within the Department of Sport Management.
“The program’s personal touch makes it unique,” Schwegman said. “Every faculty member takes the time to understand each student’s individual goals and helps craft a path to success.”
One moment that stood out during her college decision process came well before she ever stepped foot on campus.
“I'll never forget how Professor Stallings went the extra mile, taking my family out to dinner in Michigan during my senior year of high school to tell me about the program,” Schwegman said. “Giving into his sales pitch was the best choice.”
Schwegman encourages future Sport Management students to take full advantage of the resources the program offers, especially its dedicated faculty.
“Use your resources,” Schwegman said. “The faculty here have such valuable experiences and connections that can help shape your career.”
Reflecting on what it took to earn this award, Schwegman emphasized discipline, time management, and the importance of the people around her.
“My goal from a young age, upon receiving my first-ever report card, was to never achieve less than an ‘A,’ and that high standard has fueled my academic focus since,” Schwegman said. “At Rice, balancing my academics with internships and being a member of the track & field team was a challenge, but one that I welcomed.”
She credits much of her ability to meet that challenge to the support system she’s built during her time at Rice.
“But above all, this award reflects the unwavering support I’ve received from my family, professors, and peers,” Schwegman said. “I have been blessed abundantly with amazing people God has put into my life.”
She also sees it as a moment of validation for years of effort and sacrifice.
“It’s a validation of the hard work and sacrifices I’ve made throughout my time at Rice,” Schwegman said. “Winning this award feels similar to throwing a new personal record in the javelin. It’s a confirmation that the effort was worth it.”
After graduation, Schwegman will enroll in Rice’s Master of Accounting (MAcc) program to build additional expertise in financial strategy.
“The MAcc program will help strengthen my financial skill set and prepare me for managing contracts, salary caps, and negotiations,” Schwegman said. “After completing the program, I plan to return to the NFL’s Player Personnel department and work my way into Salary Cap Administration with a team.”
Sergio Rojas, a junior from Houston, Texas, is double-majoring in Business with a concentration in Finance and also Sport Management with a concentration in Leadership.